New facilities, programs on tap for Rescue Mission

Expanding the Mission

Published: Monday, June 17, 2013 at 7:51 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 17, 2013 at 7:51 a.m.

Times-News correspondent Hendersonville’s Rescue Mission recently had a growth spurt that its leaders hope will benefit the entire community.

The mission is renovating property it purchased along about half a city block on Seventh Avenue to create a new Christian Outreach Ministry and a Gospel Warehouse.

Once complete, the new ministry and warehouse will allow the mission to expand programs it offers to people who struggle with homelessness and addiction, as well as provide space for the community to gather and have fun.

Plans even include creating an outdoor playground for the children of mission residents.

“I saw it was needed,” said Anthony McMinn, the director of the mission on Maple Street. “The needs are greater. We need to meet their needs in a greater way.

The way we have done business over the years has had to evolve, and this gives us a great opportunity to do that.”

The mission bought the building at 628 Seventh Ave.

after the property entered foreclosure. Work on the building, which covers between 12,000 and 13,000 square feet, is now under way.

McMinn said he hopes renovations will be complete in time for a grand opening at the end of summer.

By the time it opens, McMinn said he expects the mission will have spent about $350,000 to $375,000 on the purchase and renovations. The mission is also in the process of buying an adjacent lot that will be used for a playground once a small, old building on the lot is torn down.

“I’m so excited,” McMinn said. “The greatest thing we do is we share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It allows people to change their lives and free themselves from addiction.”

The new outreach ministry will give the mission more space to offer its free clinic to those who need medical care. The expanded clinic will include three exam rooms, an office for a doctor and a reception area.

The new space will also include enough room to double the ministry’s learning center and GED classrooms. Other parts of the outreach ministry will include a board room and meeting rooms. An upstairs apartment in the building is being converted into a Christian counseling center.

<p>Times-News correspondent Hendersonville's Rescue Mission recently had a growth spurt that its leaders hope will benefit the entire community.</p><p>The mission is renovating property it purchased along about half a city block on Seventh Avenue to create a new Christian Outreach Ministry and a Gospel Warehouse.</p><p>Once complete, the new ministry and warehouse will allow the mission to expand programs it offers to people who struggle with homelessness and addiction, as well as provide space for the community to gather and have fun.</p><p>Plans even include creating an outdoor playground for the children of mission residents.</p><p>“I saw it was needed,” said Anthony McMinn, the director of the mission on Maple Street. “The needs are greater. We need to meet their needs in a greater way.</p><p>The way we have done business over the years has had to evolve, and this gives us a great opportunity to do that.”</p><p>The mission bought the building at 628 Seventh Ave.</p><p>after the property entered foreclosure. Work on the building, which covers between 12,000 and 13,000 square feet, is now under way.</p><p>McMinn said he hopes renovations will be complete in time for a grand opening at the end of summer.</p><p>By the time it opens, McMinn said he expects the mission will have spent about $350,000 to $375,000 on the purchase and renovations. The mission is also in the process of buying an adjacent lot that will be used for a playground once a small, old building on the lot is torn down.</p><p>“I'm so excited,” McMinn said. “The greatest thing we do is we share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It allows people to change their lives and free themselves from addiction.”</p><p>The new outreach ministry will give the mission more space to offer its free clinic to those who need medical care. The expanded clinic will include three exam rooms, an office for a doctor and a reception area.</p><p>The new space will also include enough room to double the ministry's learning center and GED classrooms. Other parts of the outreach ministry will include a board room and meeting rooms. An upstairs apartment in the building is being converted into a Christian counseling center.</p><p>“We want to share the gospel,” McMinn said. “We want</p>